VATICAN CITY — Although she was just a humble young woman from a small town, Mary's total "yes" to God was "the most important 'yes' of history" and overturned Adam and Eve's prideful "no," which unleashed sin into the world, Pope Francis said.

Clara Ell has long felt sexual abuse and sexual assault needed more attention; one of the reasons the University of Portland freshman intends to major in social work and psychology is to help victims of such crimes.
But on the evening of Sept. 30, Ell says she became a victim herself. After drinking heavily at a party, Ell claims she was raped in her...

Archbishop Alexander Sample and future archbishops of Portland will live in a 3,500-square-foot wooden house to be built on the edge of Mount Calvary Cemetery. Including its chapel, the house will be about a third of the size of the Northwest Portland building archbishops have occupied since the mid-1980s.
“There is a lot of wasted space,&rdquo...

Catholic Youth Organization just completed another season of Fall Hot Shots Nov. 12 with an end-of-season tournament for first- and second-grade basketball players. Each child was given an individual medal and each of the 20 teams was awarded a trophy for participation.Thursday, December 8, 2016

There will be a cord rosary-making workshop from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Marian Prayer Center. Cost is $20 for materials and instructional handouts. Call (503) 583-3723 to register (required) and for more information.

We hope that every Catholic — of every political persuasion — will also take the time to reach out. Many of our neighbors and fellow parishioners are more vulnerable today than they were last month.Tuesday, December 6, 2016

For one West Linn couple, a trip to Illinois for family events turned into a Chicago Cubs World Series pilgrimage that had spiritual implications, including a notion that the Virgin Mary fits the profile of a Cubs fan.Sunday, December 4, 2016

NEW YORK (CNS) -- Somewhere in the planning stages of "Incarnate" (BH Tilt), someone must have thought it would be a good idea to combine elements of Christopher Nolan's 2010 tour de force "Inception" with tropes that have been familiar to moviegoers at least since Linda Blair's head went spinning round in "The Exorcist" way back in 1973.Thursday, December 8, 2016

January of 1973 was a month, as Lady Bracknell says in "The Importance of Being Earnest," "crowded with incident." For Catholic readers, the chapters on the progress through the Supreme Court of the decision that ended with Roe v. Wade may be the most disturbing, but Robenalt gives us a lucid and unbiased account of how the decision was developed. It serves to remind us of what the decision really says and not what people have made it say to further their agendas.Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Stephen White is a fellow in Catholic studies at the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington. In “Red, White, Blue and Catholic” he challenges American Catholics to understand and to live out Catholic social teaching in its fullness in their daily lives and more.Tuesday, December 6, 2016

WILSONVILLE — Archdiocese of Portland priests active in labor issues have joined lay leaders to form a committee to help equip clergy to respond to labor problems — all in the context of Catholic social teaching. Called the Church and Social Justice Committee, the group focuses on issues they say affect parishioners, such as minimum wage laws, wage theft and the right of workers to organize. Thursday, December 8, 2016

Some Catholic couples from Oregon have traveled the globe to promote healthy marriage.

Ron and Hillary Tesch of Tualatin, Cheryl and Mel Evers of Hillsboro and John and La Vonne Doherty of North Portland, leaders in Worldwide Marriage Encounter, in September went to the Vatican where their organization was recognized by Pope Francis.

With the rush of the Christmas season tapping at the door, the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon are offering an Advent Retreat to help remind the faithful of the blessings that come as we wait with Mary for the birth of our greatest blessing.Friday, December 2, 2016

As of Nov. 26, Father John Arcidiacono was assigned to serve at St. Joseph Parish in Salem. Father Arcidiacono has made the transition to St. Joseph after serving as parochial vicar at Immaculate Conception Parish in Stayton.Tuesday, December 6, 2016

The street corner outside of St. André Bessette Parish in Portland was lined with parishioners waving boxers, briefs and signs Nov. 23.

This event, the second annual “Pantaloons Rally,” was created to draw the attention of Portlanders — which it surely did. Signs asked commuters for help providing basic hygiene items like underwear for homeless and impoverished residents of the Old Town neighborhood.Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Father Amancio Rodrigues is inviting relatives, friends and former parishioners for a celebration of his 50th anniversary of ordination with a Mass of thanksgiving at noon Saturday, Dec. 17, at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Southeast 52nd and Woodstock, Portland, followed by a luncheon in the parish gymnasium.Monday, December 5, 2016